I listened to a tele-conference last night that is facilitated by my friends, Deb and Rita. It was one in a series based on "The Course in Miracles." This one was about finding one's purpose in life. The statement that hit home with me was: There is love and there is fear. Only one is real and that's love. If it's God's purpose for me to be happy, then absolutely the only thing that's real is love. Fear keeps me from happiness; love encourages happiness. My last blog entry referenced a ministry that I've been asked to accept. I meet with Elizabeth this afternoon to discuss what mentoring a young Confirmand will require of me. I think God spoke to me last evening through Deb and Rita's presentation on purpose. I will view this decision through the eyes of love, not fear. And I will be back to let you know what my decision is.



Photo: Mount of the Holy Cross in Colorado taken last week.

Strengthen Me...

"Strengthen me, O Lord, with your holy spirit..."
Elizabeth has asked me to do a really hard thing. She would like me to sign on as an adult sponsor for one of the young confirmands currently studying to become a confirmed member of the Episcopal Church next May. Being a sponsor would mean meeting with my confirmand a half dozen times during the next few months, engaging them in conversation about their faith (Elizabeth will provide me with the 'conversation-starter' questions) and attending a church service with him/her at a church other than an Episcopal one. I can certainly make the time to do this. So what's the big deal?? The idea of working with kids and being a faith role model terrifies me! Although I love kids, their curiosity, their energy..I've never thought of myself as being particularly good at relating to them. I keep having flashbacks to teaching Jr.-Sr. Sunday school class when Sunni and Scott were in those grades. It was SO hard and I vowed to never put myself thru that misery again! Middle school was a hard time with Travis...I wasn't sure either of us would survive his 'smart mouth' so typical of those early teen years. And, I keep hearing echoes of past criticism of my skills with kids from someone whom I believed was correct in his assessment. Then there's my almost total lack of knowledge about what it means to be Episcopal...actually the kids could teach me a lot! I've thought about this; I've prayed about it. Elizabeth and I will talk about whether I'm the right person for this service to God, for this ministry. In the meantime, I'll continue to ask God for His direction.

Abbey of the Arts

I've added a blog to the list of the ones I follow. It's called "Abbey of the Arts" and is written by a woman who is a Benedictine oblate and holds a PhD in Christian Spirituality. She also does Spiritual Direction. I loved reading through past blog entries and clicking through the links to other articles she's written on topics such as sacred poetry, art and spiritual practice, and praying with music. I think art adds a richness and depth to any spiritual practice. Beauty speaks to my senses and involves me in ways that feel visceral. Certain notes on the violin move me to tears, certain colors create a physical reaction deep in my center. During worship the rhythm of the liturgy, the visual feast of flickering candles and colorful vestments, and the fragrance of incense helps me feel God's presence in ways that words alone do not. When I have the opportunity to hear sacred music played or sung, I am filled with the Spirit. What a gift and a blessing to be able to create art and beauty to celebrate the glory of God!